Psalms
Chapter 67
This short psalm asks God to be kind to Israel and bless them, so that people everywhere will learn his ways. It calls on all nations to praise God and sing for joy, because he judges people fairly and guides the nations. It ends by looking at a good harvest and asking God's blessing again, so that people to the farthest edges of the earth will honor him.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
1God, be kind to us and bless us. Look on us with favor. Selah.
"Cause his face to shine upon us" is a picture of someone smiling at you. It means to look at a person with kindness and favor.
2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
2Then people all over the earth will learn your ways, and every nation will know how you save.
The KJV says "saving health." In 1611 that meant rescue or salvation, not physical health.
3Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
3Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
4O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. You judge people fairly, and you lead the nations of the earth. Selah.
5Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
5Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
6Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
6The land has given its harvest. God, our own God, blesses us.
7God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
7God blesses us, so that people everywhere, to the farthest edges of the earth, will honor him.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it